NEWS RELEASE
For Immediate Release:
April 3, 2008
Contact:
Ken Klapp (518) 356-6253
NYISO wind forecasts to help green the grid
AWS Truewind to provide wind predictions for the NYISO, wind generators.
Rennselaer, NY -- The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) will incorporate a centralized wind
forecasting system to better accommodate wind power in New York’s bulk electricity grid.
The wind-forecasting system, planned for implementation this summer, is one of many steps being taken by the
NYISO to recognize and incorporate the unique characteristics and variable nature of wind power in dispatching
resources to economically serve the State’s electric load.
The NYISO has contracted with AWS Truewind, of Colonie, N.Y., to implement the wind-forecasting capability. The
ability to more accurately forecast wind allows the NYISO to gauge how much wind power is likely to be available
throughout a given day, enabling maximum use of “green power” resources while enhancing reliability by anticipating
variations in generator output.
“As fuel costs climb and the need for emission-free electricity grows, it is important to realize the full potential of
renewable energy resources such as wind. The NYISO is committed to accommodating the market entry of any and
all new technologies and renewable resources,” said Karen Antion, the NYISO’s Board Chair and interim CEO.
“As more wind power projects are connected to the grid, they will require enhanced attention. The advance forecasts
will allow us to accommodate wind power more accurately and reliably,” said Robert Hiney, a NYISO Board member
and interim President.
The variable nature of wind generation poses special challenges to grid operators, such as the NYISO, who must
constantly balance the supply of and demand for electricity on the grid because electricity cannot be stored efficiently
with current technologies.
To produce the forecasts, wind generators will send meteorological data and the NYISO will send power data to
AWS Truewind. The company will provide wind power forecasts to the NYISO, which will use the information to
integrate wind power in balancing the supply of electricity with consumer demand.
The NYISO has also proposed wind-related revisions in market rules, which are subject to approval by the Federal
Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC). The proposals include:
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Increasing the amount of wind generation eligible for exemption from under-generation penalties and full
compensation for over-generation,
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Requiring wind projects to finance the costs of the centralized forecasting service, and
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Establishing penalties for wind generators who continually fail to deliver meteorological data to the NYISO
forecaster.
New York Independent System Operator. 10 Krey Boulevard. Rensselaer, NY 12144
NYISO wind forecasts to help green the grid
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Currently, there are nearly 500 megawatts of wind generating capacity in commercial operation in New York State.
Almost 7,000 megawatts of proposed wind generation projects are proceeding through the grid interconnection
process administered by the NYISO.
According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), independently operated wholesale electricity markets,
such as those administered by the NYISO, are enabling greater amounts of wind power to be integrated into the
nation’s electric grid. In 2007, AWEA reported that regions served by independently operated wholesale electricity
markets had approximately 73 percent of installed wind capacity, despite having only 44 percent of nation’s wind
power potential.
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The New York Independent System Operator (NYISO) – www.nyiso.com – is a not-for-profit corporation that began operations in 1999.
The NYISO operates New York’s bulk electricity grid, administers the state’s wholesale electricity markets, and performs
comprehensive reliability planning for the state’s bulk electricity system.
New York Independent System Operator. 10 Krey Boulevard. Rensselaer, NY 12144